Parent/Student Resources

Staff Resources

Grade 7 - Spanish I

September 3, 2019

“A different language is a different vision of life.”

–Federico Fellini

Dear Parents/Guardians:

¡Hola! I am so pleased that your son/daughter has enrolled in my Grade 7 Spanish I class for the 2019-2020 school year. I am truly excited to have the opportunity to share my love of the Spanish language and culture with your child. This is the first part of a two-year course meeting every day. Students will continue in 8thgrade and will be able to receive credit on their high school transcript for successfully completing this course. To make this a successful year for us all, I would like to share with you some of my plans and expectations.

Language is a means of communication; therefore, communicating will be our primary goal. We will be doing many activities which involve the listening and speaking skills. We will practice saying those things which are necessary in many daily situations. The students will interact with each other in pairs and in groups. They will be encouraged to speak in Spanish as much as possible. Students will also be developing their writing and reading skills.

Homework practice assignments are designed for students to reinforce the language skills learned in class. Therefore, it is very important that your child takes the time to complete them. It is only through continued practice that your child will master the skills of a second language. In addition, your child will be required to keep an organized binder which will hold all the handouts, notes, and practice assignments.

The foreign language cannot be separated from the culture in which it is spoken. Consequently, students will be learning about the Spanish-speaking countries and their people. By doing this, we hope that our children will develop a respect for cultural diversity.

I have extremely high expectations of all my students. I am asking for your help to maintain those expectations by encouraging your son/daughter to practice at home what we learn in class. I am available to help students individually before school, during my planning period, and after school. Homework and other class assignments will be posted on my Google Classroom page (your child we be given a code to join). You may also take a look at my personal webpage (accessed through our district website) which provides information about my classroom policies and links to helpful websites. Please do not hesitate to contact me through the office or by email (varanodelgadon@shikbraves.org) should you have any questions or concerns.

Hopefully your son/daughter will bring home my course expectations. Please take the time to read them, and please detach, sign and return the bottom portion of this letter by Friday, September 27, 2019.